Islam Makhachev vs Ilia Topuria

was a fight that many fans thought was a done deal once it was announced that Topuria would be vacating the UFC Featherweight Championship. Topuria thought the same thing when he moved up to lightweight, but unfortunately for him, that fight could be in jeopardy.

Ilia Topuria Was Promised A Title Shot Against Islam Makhachev

Topuria Has Revealed the UFC Told Him He Was the Next Challenger

Topuria did what no fighter was ever forced to do before, as he was stripped of the UFC Featherweight Championship in hopes of a fight with Makhachev. However, it wasn’t just hope, as at WOW 17, Topuria revealed that the UFC promised him a shot at the lightweight title. It was even reported by Ariel Helwani that the fight was all but confirmed, but now it seems that those plans could change.

The original announcement was that Topuria decided to vacate the title, but now it’s been rumored that it was a requirement if he wanted the Makhachev fight. Despite that, doubt and speculation have continued to rise as Charles Oliveira, Arman Tsarukyan, and most recently Justin Gaethje have been named in the title picture.

It’s unknown whether Ilia is telling the truth about whether he was 100% guaranteed a shot, but considering that the UFC and Dana White have been borderline silent on the matter, there’s no reason to believe that he’s lying. With the recent rumors about Gaethje, though, Makhachev vs Topuria might not be happening next after all.

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Islam Makhachev Vs Ilia Topuria Might Not Be Next Fight For Lightweight Title

The UFC May Shift Away From the Promised Title Shot

There is a chance that the UFC decides not to book Makhachev vs Topuria as the next UFC Lightweight Championship fight. This would certainly be the wrong decision, as Islam vs Ilia could arguably be the second most bought PPV in UFC history.

Rumors about Oliveira vs Topuria and Makhachev vs Gaethje have circled, though neither of those fights would make sense over Makhachev vs Topuria. It’s understandable why some fans would want to see Topuria get tested at 155 first, but back-to-back finishes over two of the top three featherweights of all time is enough to know that Ilia is one of the best fighters in the world.

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